Dr Mark Ellison
Program Director

Mark is originally from Perth where he studied chemistry
at The University of Western Australia and Murdoch University. He also did his PhD in Science Communication through the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science
at The Australian National University.

Mark was a lecturer in Chemistry at Murdoch University from 1990 until 2001. He was also the Academic Coordinator of the Annual WA Science Summer School from 1995-2001, and in this role he was noted for his interactive and entertaining presentation of High School chemistry material. In 1996 Mark won a Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence in Teaching Award at Murdoch University, and in 1999 was short listed in the Physical Sciences Category of the Australian Awards for University Teaching.

From 2002-2004 Mark was Head of Science at Radford College, a co-educational independent Anglican School in Canberra.

Mark is currently a lecturer and First-Year Chemistry coordinator in the chemistry department at The Australian National University, as well as the Director of the ASO Chemistry Program.

Trent Wallis
Deputy Director

Trent has a BSc.(Advanced)(Hons) from the University of Sydney and is currently completing his PhD in Brain Biochemistry at the University of Sydney. His day job is teaching Senior Chemistry and Junior Science at Sydney Grammar School, and he is also a member of the RTBSC Author Team and the RTBSO review process.

Trent has been involved with the Australian Science Olympiads Chemistry program for many years: he was a student in 1998 and a tutor and lecturer from 2000-2005, including taking the Australian team to Groningen in 2002 and Athens in 2003.

His hobbies include photography and craft brewing beer (applied biochemistry!).

Bob Switzer
Support Officer

Bob has been involved with chemical education, both as a technician and a teacher, since leaving school. He was in the right place at the right time in 1996 when the Chemistry Olympiad became a reality and is still involved. In the period 1991-95 he was Executive Officer of the Australian Science Olympiads. Bob has a keen interest in spectacular chemistry and he along with Prof. Richard Russell (founding Director of the Chemistry Olympiad) have developed a 90 minute spectacular lecture, The Magic of Chemistry, which has been presented Australia wide and also in New Zealand.

Updated 6 September 2007